A Fall Walk in the Chicago Botanic Garden
When Jason and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary a few years ago, we decided to take the day off of work (super last minute) and take a stroll around the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Even though we have lived in Chicago for almost 10 years, we had never been! I kept seeing pictures of it when I was looking for good spots for engagement photos (I’m also a couples photographer), so we thought it would be fun to check out.
Along with sharing photos from our day, here are some logistical things that are good to know:
The Chicago Botanic Garden is pretty big. It took us 2 hours to walk around the grounds. Little trails and paths deviate from the main path, so it would take even longer if you wanted to explore each one, or stop to read about the plants.
Admission tickets range depending on the day. Adult tickets start around $14. Parking is $8 per car, unless you have a supersized vehicle.
Since Covid, you need to schedule your visit. We scheduled ours the day of, because we didn’t know about the new rule. It may seem weird or limiting, but the gardens were not overcrowded, so we enjoyed it more. Also, there is no time limit - once you enter, you can stay until it closes.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is located in Woodridge. Less than a mile from the gardens is a shopping center, which includes a Nordstrom Rack - which is a good thing to keep in mind.
There is a cafe located in the visitor center. They service Starbucks coffee and have seasonal drinks, like apple cider. Snacks and prepackaged sandwiches and salads are also available to purchase.
The Japanese Gardens is where the beautiful arched bridge is located. It was our favorite part of the Chicago Botanic Garden (and it would be great for pictures).
